Gilbeet e



(No Model.) 1 G. R. ELLIOTT.

CASH AND PARCEL CARRIER.

' N0. 297,686. Patented Apr. 29, 1884. I

' QZa/a UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

GILBERT R. ELLIOTT, OF BOSTON, MASS, ASS[GNOR TO THE CONTINENTAL CASH OAR COMPANY OF BALTIMORE, OF BALTIMORE, MD.

CASH AND PARCEL CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent N0. 297,686, dated April 29, 1884-.

Application filed February 16, 1884. (No model.)

the invention, which will enable others skilled 1n the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

Myv invention relates to cash and parcel carriers for storeservice systems in which both the cash and purchased article are transported from the salesmans counter to the desk of the cashier, as contradistinguished from those carriers which are capable only of transporting the cash.

In this class of carriers various automatic extensible means of support have heretofore been provided for the carrier to the body of the car, which in time are rendered inoperative in consequence of the strain imposed by heavy articles thrown into the carrier; and,'again, in some cases the weight of the article has had the effect of rendering impossible the automatic return of the carrier to the car, either because of the displacement, or breakage of some parts of the operative mechanism. In someinstances means are employed in connection with these extensible supports for preventing the retrograde of the carrier, and for maintaining it at any point to which it may bedrawn untilpermitted to return by the operator; but I have found that the most practicable form of carrier is that in which no intermediate mechanism exists between the car and carrier, and in which the latter is wholly detachable from the former, such being wherein my invention consists.

Referring to the annexed drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a suspended car and carrier in which my improvements are embodied. Fig. 2 represents a view in crossseotion of the car on the line :0 m, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a view of a portion of the hanging support for the carrier to the car-body, and Fig. 4 a detail view.

My invention is designed to embrace both its application to side-wheel cars and to cars which are permanent upon the track or way; but for the purpose of avoiding the possible .unseating of the cars from their position on the tracks in the act of detaching the carrier from and attaching it to the car, I prefer to use cars so constructed asto adapt them to be permanently seatedrupon .their respective ways.

Reference being had to the several parts by the letters marked thereon, A represents the car as awhole, which is formed of two counterparts of frame-work, a, of such construction as that, when placed together and united by screws or otherwise, a space is left between them at their upper portion, in which turn the grooved wheels b b, that are journaled between the sides a, as shown. The lower portions, a, of the sides of the frame incline downward from each end of the car-body toward its center, and there unite in forming a channel, 0, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. This channel is for the reception of a cross-piece, 6, attached to the upper end of the supports for the carrier. In some instances, however, this channel might be dispensed with, as the cross-piece of the carrier .could beheld from turning by resting in the angle which would be formed by the points of juncture at the center of said portions a; and, again, these portions may be straight and the cross-piece of v the carrier-supports provided with hooked ends to overlap them, to prevent the carrier from swinging around and falling out. (See dotted lines, Fig. 3.) A space likewise exists between the portions a of the frame in thedirection of their length, which permits thecross-piece'e of the carrier to be placed between'them at any point, and be carried by gravity into the channel, thus holding the carrier-substantially in line with the center of gravity of the car-body.

0 represents the carrier, which is provided on its bottom with asuitable handle, and which may be constructed of wire, wicker-work, or any proper material. Radiating upwardly from its sides, and centering at a point in line with its center, are wires or other suitable rigid supports, (1, the main ones of which are all twisted together at their upper end, as shown at d.

Attached in any suitable manner across the portion d", in a direction at right angles to the length of the carrier, is a cr0ss-piece, e, which, when the carrier is attached to the car, rests in the channel 0, as above explained.

While I have specifically described above certain construction of car and carrier, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to such construction, as very material departures therefrom can be made which are within the scope of my invention.

I have represented within the carrier a small box or receptacle for holding the cash, to be sent in company with the article or articles to be transmitted.

The operation is as follows: The purchased article is, by the salesman, placed within the carrier, which he may either allow to remain suspended to the car until ready for use or have beneath his counter, where it can be more easily reached, and by impclling the car in the usual way, it is sent along the track to the cashiers desk.

In performing the act of attaching the carrier to the car the cross-piece c is placed up T between the portions a lengthwise and then turned, which brings it across said portions, which, by virtue of their inclination, cause the carrier to slide by gravity to its place of sup port at c. In detaching it from the car it is i simply lifted until the cross-piece is free of the channel, then turned, and drawn down and out.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In cash and parcel carriers, the combination, with a car permanent upon the track, of

a carrier detachably connected thereto substantially in line with the center of gravity of such car, and whose supports center at a point in line with its center, as described.

2. In cash and parcel carriers, the car having sides separated for the admission of the supports of a carrier.

3. In cash and parcel carriers, the car having straight sides and separated for the admission of the supports of a carrier.

4. In cash and parcel carriers, the car having sides inclining toward its center and separated for the admission of the supports of a carrier.

5. In cash and parcel carriers, the ear having sides inclining toward its center, and forming thereat the channel 0, and separated for the admission of the supports of a carrier.

6. In cash and parcel carriers, the combination, with a car of the kinds described, of a carrier having supports uniting at a point above it, and provided with a cross-piece which is at right angles to the length of said carrier.

7. In cash and parcel carriers, the combina tion, with a car of the kinds described, of a carrier having supports uniting at a point above it, and provided with a cross-piece having hooked ends, as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aflix my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

GILBERT R. ELLIOTT. Vitnesses:

W. A. COPELAND, JOHN R. Snow. 

